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PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS 

AND 

TENTH ANNIVERSARY REPORTS 

OF 

MILTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



A Record of the Society s 
First T'en Tears 



Printed by Vote of the Society 
1915 






em 

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Compliments of 

NATHANIEL T. KIDDER, President 

TY 

_ /EARS 

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY AT 
THE ANNUAL MEETING, 2d JUNE, 1915 

INTKODUCTORY 

It is not my aim that when this meeting adjourns you shall 
all leave feeling that you have learned everything that you need 
or wish of Milton History. It is rather my desire that you should 
all go home feeling how little has been done in classifying the 
records of the past, and that it is the duty of each and every man 
and woman who has heard this paper read to contribute in some 
form to a further elucidation. 

The Society's tenth anniversary seems an appropriate occa- 
sion to put down in black and white some of its accomplishments 
and some of the aspirations of its members. We study to unravel 
the confusion of the past; let us keep our own records in order 
and ready to consult, and let us also file for future generations 
every available record of what goes on about us in this our town 
of residence. Whether we are here by chance of birth or by 
choice we owe the town our allegiance. 

Thus in one paragraph of my paper I have put the pith of the 
whole subject, what we came together for and formed this Society. 
We will now turn back and consider chronologically the steps 
which led to our corporate existence ; — but one question must, I 
fear, remain forever unanswered, and that is : why did not Milton 
citizens earlier form such a Society? 

One natural function of a Public Library is to accumulate all 
printed matter relating to the city or town which it serves. A 
number of years ago the Rev. Dr. Albert K. Teele got together 
and gave to our Library a set of Milton documents. These, 
bound together for their better preservation, form, we must always 

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OitI 



MILTOINT HISTOEICAL SOCIETY 

ITS TEN YEARS PAST AND ITS NEXT TEN YEARS 

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIETY AT 
THE ANNUAL MEETING, 2d JUNE, 1915 

INTRODUCTORY 

It is not my aim that when this meeting adjourns you shall 
,11 leave feeling that you have learned everything that you need 
ir wish of Milton History. It is rather my desire that you should 
;11 go home feeling how little has been done in classifying the 
ecords of the past, and that it is the duty of each and every man 
.nd woman who has heard this paper read to contribute in some 
orm to a further elucidation. 

The Society's tenth anniversary seems an appropriate occa- 
ion to put down in black and white some of its accomplishments 
,nd some of the aspirations of its members. We study to unravel 
he confusion of the past; let us keep our own records in order 
md ready to consult, and let us also file for future generations 
ivery available record of what goes on about us in this our town 
)t' residence. Whether we are here by chance of birth or by 
ihoice we owe the town our allegiance. 

Thus in one paragraph of my paper I have put the pith of the 
vhole subject, what we came together for and formed this Society. 
^^e will now turn back and consider chronologically the steps 
vhich led to our corporate existence ; — but one question must, I 
"ear, remain forever unanswered, and that is : why did not Milton 
jitizens earlier form such a Society ? 

One natural function of a Public Library is to accumulate all 
jrinted matter relating to the city or town which it serves. A 
lumber of years ago the Rev. Dr. Albert K. Teele got together 
md gave to our Library a set of Milton documents. These, 
3ound together for their better preservation, form, we must always 

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bear in mind, the corner-stone of our Society, even though they 
were given to the Library. The Society and the Library must 
ever stand together in the conduct of affairs relating to local 
history. 

On the 19th April, 1900, a Loan Exhibition of Historical 
Articles was opened by the members of the First Evangelical 
Congregational Church. 

This building of the Public Library, in which this paper is 
read, opened 11th June, 1904, provided a room to accommodate such 
articles of local interest as might be given into the charge of the 
library trustees. The trustees realized that the time would 
come when these would be too numerous for this room, but felt 
that in the absence of a local historical society some opportunity 
to accumulate and protect such articles should be provided. 

We will turn now to the Milton Educational Society. 
Founded 2d October, 1900, it changed its title to Milton Education 
Society during the winter of 1902-1903. One of the committees 
of that Society, known as the Historical Committee, and consist- 
ing of Dr. Freeland D. Leslie, Mr, Hiram Tuell, and Miss Alma G. 
Pierce, at a meeting held 28th November, 1904, reported unani- 
mously in favor of the incorporation of an historical society to 
devote its entire energy to the cause of getting together and pre- 
serving everything bearing on the history of the town. A letter 
from Mrs. Adeline D. T. Whitney was read, favoring this course. 
Mr. Don Gleason Hill, Town Clerk of Dedham, urged the value 
of an historical society with its facts and property well classified 
and arranged for reference. Several others spoke in favor. 
Articles of agreement were then signed by practically all who 
were present, more than fifty. Mr. Horace E. Ware acted as 
president during the preliminary meetings for the formation of the 
Society. 

We may now refer to the annual reports of our own Society 
for most of the information which we need : 

First Report (for 1905) : 

In this it is briefly set forth that several meetings were held 
in the interests of founding a society as recommended by the 
committee of the Education Society. Some delay ensued owing 

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to difficulty in bringing together again those who were at the first 
meeting — a technical difficulty of lack of quorum. 

Therefore, to facilitate matters, and not because there were 
not others ready and anxious to become charter members, the fol- 
lowing nine were selected as charter members, the names appear- 
ing here in the order signed on the articles of incorporation which 
were finally used : Nathaniel T. Kidder, Hiram Tuell, William 
L. W. Field, Alma Gardner Pierce, Freeland D. Leslie, Arthur H. 
Tucker, Andrew Henshaw Ward, Ellen F. Vose, Anne Rowe 
Cunningham. 

More meetings — of this smaller body — and order began to 
appear. The application for incorporation is dated 11th January, 
1905. The Certificate of Incorporation is dated 7th February, 
1905. By-laws were adopted, officers elected. The incorporators 
then met, 25th February, 1905, and elected eighty-seven (87) per- 
sons as members of the Society. Many of these had been active 
in the preliminaries. 

The first annual meeting was held 6th June, 1905. More 
members joined at this meeting, bringing the total up to one 
hundred and fifty-two (152), a very creditable showing for this 
first report. 

The first paper read at a meeting of the Society was on Gov- 
ernor Jonathan Belcher, and was read by its author. Miss Mary P. 
Webster, Founder and First President of the Milton Woman's 
Club. Thus indirectly we acknowledge our indebtedness to another 
Milton institution. Miss Webster's paper was later printed in the 
" Milton Record," as most of the papers read at the meetings of 
the Society have been. An appendix to my paper will serve as an 
index to these. 

A field meeting, attended by sixty-eight (68) persons, was 
held on 19th April, 1905, under the leadership of Mr. John A. 
Tucker, to whom the Society is indebted for his enthusiasm and 
devotion in many forms. 

In this first year, also, the Society's seal was made, being 
designed by and executed under the superintendence of Prof. 
William Robert Ware. 



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Second Report (for 1906) : 

It seems best not to detail all papers read at the Society's 
meetings chronologically, but rather to give a list of these in an 
appendix, and the same treatment is made of field meetings, and 
of other items in the career of the Society, but it is impossible to 
pass without special mention of the Loan Exhibition held in the 
Town Hall under the auspices of the Committee on Articles of His- 
torical Interest during the week of 19tli-24th November, 1906. 
Of this exhibition many photographs were taken by Mr. Frizell, 
and a set of these has been preserved in a book in which the 
Curator has entered explanatory notes, so that the lender's name 
can be found and something of the story of most of the articles. 

Third Report (for 1907) : 

From this I copy the following item, the only entry I believe 
therein not mentioned in some other part of this paper : 

" The Society has been the medium through which the Town 
of Milton has contributed a stone to be inserted in and be a part 
of the Pilgrim Memorial Monument at Provincetown. The cost of 
the stone was $40.00 which was raised by subscription." 

When Rev. and Mrs. Theodore I. Reese were about leaving 
Milton a reception was given to them by St. Michael's Parish, The 
Mission of Our Savior, the Milton Education Society, and Milton 
Historical Society. This was on 19th February, 1907. 

Fourth Report (for 1908) : 

Here we read of the series of three lectures given by Mr. Edwin 
D. Mead under the joint auspices of Milton Historical Society, 
Milton Education Society, and Milton Woman's Club. The titles 
of these lectures were : " The Voice of the Old South Meeting 
House," " Washington's Work in Opening the West," " The 
United States as a World Power." 

A bronze tablet placed in 1908 opposite the head of Churchill's 
Lane bears the inscription : " Opposite this tablet stood Milton's 
First Meeting House, built prior to 1660. — Milton Historical 
Society 1908." It shows the probable appearance of the building, 
a rough log cabin. 

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Through our Society the Margaret May Ward prize was first 
offered in 1908 by Mr. Andrew H. Ward. This has been offered 
yearly ever since, and a fund in the hands of the Treasurer insures 
its permanence for the future. Details will be found in an appendix 
hereto. 

Fifth Report (for 1909) : 

In addition to four papers mentioned in the appendix wherein 
their authors are given credit, a talk on " The Geology and Geog- 
raphy of Milton," by Mr. William L. W. Field, is chronicled in this 
report. 

The Milton Catechism is spoken of as nearly ready, and an 
edition of one thousand copies is authorized by the Directors. 
This Milton Catechism, designed on the lines of a similar work on 
Brookline, was first suggested by Mr. Andrew H. Ward, who served 
as Chairman of the Committee which prepared it. It is not exhaus- 
tive, nor was it meant to be ; it is rather a mental guide, if I may 
so express it, full of suggestions for working up the details of 
Milton's history. 

Sixth Report (for 1910) : 

Herein is stated that the " Milton Catechism " has been pub- 
lished, one thousand copies. Thenceforth this book speaks for 
itself and should be familiar to every one in Milton. (Copies may 
be obtained of the Curator at fifty cents.) 

An exhibition of manuscripts, documents, books, portraits, 
photographs, etc., relating to the early history of the town was 
held in Milton Public Library from 14th February to 14th May, 
1910. These articles were some of them owned by the Society, 
and many loans swelled the exhibition. Several of the articles 
loaned were given to the Society at the end of the exhibition. 

During this year much work was done towards a catalogue of 
our belongings. 

A tablet to Thaddeus William Harris, M.D., was placed on 
the Suffolk Resolves House (so called) in Milton Village, by the 
Cambridge Entomological Club, Boston Society of Natural History 
and Milton Historical Society, and unveiled 1st January, 1910. 

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At the site of the former home of Rev. Peter Thacher, now 
belonging to Mr. John A. Tucker, interesting exercises were held 
on 5th June, 1910. While the first credit for this ceremony 
belongs to Mr. Tucker, I know that he will be willing to share 
with us the credit of being interested with him. 

Seventh Report (for 1911) : 

This shows no special activities beyond the papers at the reg- 
ular meetings, but the work of mounting some of the more valuable 
papers of the Society for their better preservation and more ready 
reference was begun. 

Eighth Report (for 1912) : 

In addition to the papers at the regular meetings the mount- 
ing of documents was continued. A small safe was installed in 
the Public Library, thus enabling us to bring order out of chaos. 

Though the inspiration of the celebration of the 250th Anni- 
versary of the Town's Incorporation came from a member of the 
Society, the actual process of bringing about the celebration was 
through the Town Meeting. A committee chosen from our mem- 
bers was appointed by the Moderator in 1911 and continued in 
1912, when an appropriation was made by the town. The proceed- 
ings of the anniversary are set forth in a pamphlet, and this was 
reprinted by the Town as a part of the 77th Annual Report, and 
so need not be further referred to here. 

The feature of this celebration which was furnished directly 
by this Society was the placing of large cardboard signs to mark 
various sites of historical interest which it is hoped may be marked 
permanently from time to time. Indeed, Mr. Sidney Clementson 
gave the Society a considerable sum of money for this purpose, 
and some of the permanent tablets will be placed when certain 
details are made perfectly clear. 

The map published that year was an outcome of the Anniver- 
sary Committee's work, compiled by Mr. Frederick P. Hall. 

The Historical Pageant given in the autumn of 1912, and 
forming a fitting close of the exercises of the anniversary, was 
given under the auspices of the Society, but not under the direct 
supervision of its officers. It was conducted by a voluntary com- 

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raittee. So many of the townspeople taking part in it were not 
members that it may well be considered a work of the citizens at 
large. Many photographs of this, taken by Mr. Frizell, have been 
preserved. 

In April, 1913, the Directors decided that a Curator was desir- 
able to put our possessions in proper order and thus render them 
easier to consult. They were fortunate in their selection. At the 
June meeting the appointment was ratified, and we still have as 
Curator Miss Jane W. Kennedy, with office hours at the Public 
Library Thursdays from 3.30 to 5.30, which hours represent only a 
small part of the time which she devotes to the work of the 
Society. 

Some of the more readily shown of our property was that 
same year put in the cases at the end of the Art Room of the 
Library on permanent exhibition. 

Ninth Report (for 1913) : 

The annual meeting in 1913, consisting of reports of com- 
mittees, was rendered particularly interesting by the report of the 
Committee on Historical Library, given by Mr. Henry W. Cunning- 
ham and consisting largely of a description of some of the more 
interesting papers owned by the Society. 

The by-laws were considerably amended at this meeting, the 
most important changes being : Provision for ready filling of 
vacancies in Board of Directors; More elasticity given dates of 
meetings ; a Permanent Fund established, formed from Life Mem- 
bership dues — " The interest of the Permanent Fund may be 
used for current expenses . . . but the principal shall be 
expended only upon authorization by a two-thirds vote of those 
present and voting at a meeting of the Society duly called for the 
purpose." 

The Bay State Historical League was joined that year, and 
three delegates from our Society attend the meetings of the League 
and bring back inspiration for our work. 

A loan exhibition of samplers, wrought needlework and 
mourning jewellery was held in the Public Library. Again Mr. 
Frizell was called in and took photographs which have been 
preserved in a book. 

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Tenth Report (for 1914) : 

In connection with the paper at the October, 1914, meeting, 
by Mr. George T. Tilden, entitled " Among Some Yesterday- 
Houses," an exhibition of pictures of old Milton houses was held 
for a week in the Historical Room. 

On 16th January, 1 915, the Bay State Historical League held 
its meeting in Milton Town Hall by our invitation, and Mr. Charles 
S. Pierce read a short paper on "Milton's Place in the Country." 
The main paper of the meeting was on " How can Children best 
be taught the History of their own Town ? " by Mr. Henry Whitte- 
more, Superintendent of the Framingham Normal School. 

Opening on the same day as the above meeting and continu- 
ing for several weeks, a loan exhibition was held of articles asso- 
ciated with the life of Jonathan Russell, one of the signers of the 
Treaty of Ghent, signed 24th December, 1814. 

Before leaving this part of my address I wish to quote the 
words of our Recording Secretary at the date of the first report : 

" The Town of Milton, in common with all New England 
settlements, has its share of deeds well done, of principles main- 
tained at the hazard of life and fortune. In such as these every 
right-minded person takes a common pride. To keep them alive, 
to preserve them from oblivion, to retain every incident connected 
with these events and those who participated therein, should 
become his duty. 

" The events of to-day should not be neglected. 

" Events of yesterday in time become past history, and it is by 
taking note of such that history is preserved. 

" It was for this work Milton Historical Society was organized, 
and the Directors bespeak the active support of all members of the 
Society to the end that it shall take its place among the permanent 
institutions of the Town." 

Membership : 

The membership of the Society has been well maintained from 
the first, the lists printed in the reports showing the following 
numbers: 1st Report, 152; 2d, 160; 3d, 215; 4th, 247; 5th, 
241 ; 6th, 239 ; 7th, 243 ; 8th, 296 ; 9th, 312 ; 10th, 306. 

Great care has been taken to print all names correctly, but I 

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am aware that errors have crept into some of the reports, and 
would ask to have my attention or that of the Secretary drawn to 
such errors. Accuracy should be one of the characteristics of our 
reports. It is sometimes of great importance to get a name exactly 
right, and this becomes increasingly difficult as time leaves the 
bearer of the name behind. Do we all know the full names of 
Charles Darwin or Grover Cleveland ? Some of our members may 
not establish their names as firmly as did those two men, and may 
require more accuracy for identification. 

Let me urge on you all to get as many members for the 
Society as possible. The annual dues are small, and the receipts 
in ]-eturn will increase, for your Directors do not desire to hoard 
money, they want to advance all the lines of work possible. The 
opportunities for members to do helpful work are numerous, and 
every effort will be made to point out lines of usefulness to those 
desirous of working. It has been often stated that Milton has a 
great many organizations, but the dues of each are light and even 
if all are added together do not make a very heavy charge. We 
should consider each society as a branch of a great league working 
for the good of all. 

The old bulletin board nailed to one of the old elms in Milton 
Village some of you will remember — it was there for many years. 
That was more or less a turning point in my " historical " develop- 
ment. I had always looked at it as simply a gathering place 
(rather dirty) for notices rarely of much interest to me. As time 
went on it began to impress itself on my mental retina. Toward 
the end of its sojourn in the village I often had occasion to post 
notices on it myself; it was the mechanical part of this particularly 
which lingers in my mind, an interesting balance between being 
able always to find enough tacks left from old bills to put up new 
bills, and a difficulty in finding space among the old tacks to insert 
new tacks. 

Let me now mention some of our work not readily arranged 
chronologically. Everything received from any source is entered 
in an accession book, showing clu-onologically when it comes, and 
a card catalogue is also kept for ready reference. It is hoped that 
before long a printed catalogue may be issued, but we are obliged 
to consider carefully where our money will do the most good. 

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We have copied the old town records ; a task suggested by us 
to the Town meeting in 1908, referred back to the Directors of this 
Society with an appropriation. This work has been done by Miss 
Eleanor P. Martin, so I need not add that it has been well .done. 
The copy has been bound and is in the Library building. To print 
this would be expensive, but we hope perhaps some day to be able 
to print it. 

We have got together and had bound sets of all local publica- 
tions ; newspapers, town and school reports, special reports, 
photographs and earlier portraits, documents, plans, books and 
pamphlets written by citizens of Milton. A printed catalogue of 
these is under consideration, but first a list of wants, of lacking 
numbers, may be issued in an effort to complete files. 

If our Society is to do its best work and stimulate an interest 
in historical matters among our newer residents, I believe that we 
should not confine our essays absolutely to Milton. In our collec- 
tions, however, we may wisely be more restricted to local articles 
as other societies are numerous and well stocked. 

Let us get into the habit of bringing back with us from our 
travels new ideas for Milton. If you saw a chair or a picture, or 
let us say if you ate a pudding which you liked, you would natur- 
ally consider acquiring such a one for your own house. Boston 
has recently put on the street signs the old names of some of the 
streets. In London I noted last year that a platform at the edge 
of the sidewalk on Piccadilly bore a tablet in iron. This platform 
is perhaps six feet by eighteen inches, of plank, and is supported 
on posts perhaps four feet high ; but for the tablet few would know 
to-day its mission. The inscription tells us that these platforms 
(there were once several) were " Erected at the suggestion of (the 
name is given but does not signify for our purposes) in 1861, for 
the convenience of porters, and thus commemorate a custom of the 
times. It is hoped that there will be sufficient interest taken to 
maintain them." 

England is full of such inscriptions, some of them marking 
events dating back of course to the time of the Romans. I have 
purposely chosen a marker of a structure built within my own 
lifetime, but all the same needed so soon to tell the use of the 
platforms. 

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Is it too far a flight to imagine a tablet in the future reading 
somewhat as follows : " This post, formerly known as a hitching- 
post, was formerly used for tying horses to, when those animals 
were in general use as draft animals." 

Thirty odd years ago I found on the coast of Maine a small 
plant which interested me much. I came home and found it grow- 
ing as a weed amongst the flowers on my father's place. Notice 
what you see in traveling and find its equivalent if not its coun- 
terpart in your own town. 

It is not always the most expensive memorial that does the 
most good in any sense. A simple reminder well set, as a small 
tablet on a boulder in a park, does more real good to the world 
than does a costly marble tablet in the wall of a house. Appro- 
priateness must be considered in all things. 

Anniversaries : 

Anniversaries of local happenings might well be chronicled in 
the local paper. Quotations from the old Town records on such 
occasions would be in order, on the same principle that we see the 
daily papers quote from their issues of years ago. 

Under this head I may perhaps suggest the celebration of 
" Milton Day." The 250th Anniversary in 1912 was, of course, 
more than we can expect for an annual observance, but flying of 
flags, perhaps a holiday for the schools, and other methods of 
noting the event would be appropriate. The same person who 
suggested Milton Day also suggested a Milton flag. 

Recognition of good deeds of the past would surely encourage 
public-spirited acts to-day. 

Names of Districts or Sections: 

Some of these are very interesting or curious. Many are 
little known to newer residents, and some even to older. Some 
would even be hard to locate, and all would, I fancy, be difficult 
to bound. Here are some of them : Algerine Corner, The Bar- 
ley Field, Pine Tree Brook (as a district). The Bush, Paradise, 
Milton Hill, Scotch or Scott's Woods, New State, Sodom, Tony 
Pastor's, The Chffs, Austin Triangle. A complete list with origin 

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of all the names would make an interesting paper all by itself. 
We may note in passing that Milton Hill, which sounds the 
simplest of all the names perhaps, is variously located by different 
people. 

These local names should be classified and preserved for future 
reference. 

Marking Sites : 

What are we to mark, you ask? I answer, that which stands 
out from the pages of our history as peculiarly our own, and that 
from which we have grown away. Thus the Baldwin apple is said 
to have originated in Milton, does any one know where — if so, 
mark the place. A powder mill stood somewhere in Milton vil- 
lage — if we all knew just where we almost surely would mark 
it — the site is hard to fix exactly, the date is still more elusive — 
here is an opportunity for research. Look in the lists of past 
residents for distinguished citizens, surely we have had more Gov- 
ernors of the State resident in Milton than fall to the lot of most 
towns. Taverns, factories, dams, residences. It may be that we 
have too many to mark all the interesting sites, but surely there is 
no lack of such. Who left the Town Farm to Milton? 

Closely akin to marking sites with tablets is the naming of 
streets to commemorate those who lived on them or near them, or 
who were instrumental in having them built. Our Milton Public 
Schools are already named for families prominent in the Town's 
history — the Vose School was so named at the suggestion of this 
Society when asked for a suggestion by the committee in charge of 
the erection of the building. 

In a general way the first name given a street may be said to 
be the one which should be retained. We have caused much con- 
fusion among strangere coming to town by having an Adams Street 
which, though a connecting link between the streets in Boston and 
Quincy of the same name, is numbered independently of both. 

Many street names are duplicated in our town ; as Blue Hill 
Avenue, Blue Hills Parkway (a pitfall), Blue Hill Terrace Street, 
Granite Avenue and Granite Place, Churchill Street and Churchill's 
Lane, Columbia Park and Columbia Street and even Columbine 
Road, almost a repetition, Milton Street and Milton Avenue, Oak 

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Street and Road (I would suggest the name of Record Road for the 
latter), Pine Street and Road. 

There were formerly two Pond Streets, but one is now Austin 
Street, for its former owner. 

Hillside Street might well bear the same name in Milton and 
Canton. 

Amongst our more interesting street names let me mention 
Belcher Circle, Brackett Street, Dollar Lane, Hutchinson Street, 
Squantum Street, Thistle Avenue, Unquity Road, though unfor- 
tunately misplaced, as we are told that Unquity-Quisset denotes 
the name of a place at the head of a small tidal stream or creek 
(Trumbull-Teele's History, p. 35), Willard Street. 

A list of suggestions must suffice. Anecdotes of Miltonians, 
even sayings of Milton children, portraits and pictures, architects' 
drawings of entire buildings or of details, list of milestones, when 
trees were planted, records from family bibles, old journals, cash 
accounts, files of old bills, letters, sermons, amplifying and extra 
illustrating Dr. Teele's History. A fuller index to this last would 
be a much appreciated contribution. 

We may well study comparatively any subject through the 
two hundred and fifty-three years of the Town's existence and 
make a collection of Indian relics, of minerals, of any branch of 
natural history as found here. 

Society to own Building : 

It is to be hoped that some day we may have quarters of our 
own in which we may expand. The communitj'- seems to be 
divided into those who do not see the use in our having a building 
while we have so few articles to put in it, and those who do not 
understand why we ask for articles when we have no building in 
which to keep them. A temporary plan which I have already 
suggested is that we loan our large articles to other societies until 
such time as we can house them. An ideal condition finally 
would be an historic house for our meetings and a fireproof ell 
attached to it for our museum. Or we might use the new Woman's 
Club for our meetings (provided we were welcome) and build a 
fireproof museum wing on that. Other possibilities will occur to 
you, or will develop as time goes on. 

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LIBEARIAN'S REPORT 
For Year Ending June 1, 1915 

The possessions of Milton Historical Society are increasing each 
year, and since the last report the following additions have been made : 

In June, 1914 : 

From Miss Amanda J. Ferry — 
Old Caster. 

Cigars made from tobacco raised on Brush Hill. 
Picture of Old Brick School House. 
Mortar and pestle found on old George Sumner land. 

From Miss Ellen F. Vose — 

Bookplate of Abigail Foord. 

From Mr. Henry B. Martin — 

Banner of Milton Washingtonians. 

From Misses Alice C. and Mary A. Breck — 
26 vols. Dedham Historical Register. 
8 vols. Hyde Park Historical Record. 
Dedham Records, 1635-1845. 
Historical Annals of Dedham. 
Records of Boston Selectmen, 1716-1736. 
Boston Almanac and Directory, 1872. 
City Hall, Boston (pamphlet). 
Blue Hill Observatory (pamphlet). 
Table of Distances. 
Dedication of Medfield Town Hall. 
Cash Book, Jazaniah Foord & Son. 
View of Harvard College, 1823. 
Steam Packet, '' Chancellor Livingston " (view). 
Iron Light-house on Minot's Ledge, 1850. 
Three Ballots. Three views. 
13 vols. Boston Record. 
Bouquet of Honesty 40 years old. 
Framed Engraving of Norfolk Agricultural Society, Dedham, 

1856. 
Photograph of First Parish Church and Academy. 
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Photograph of Chemical Engine House. 
Account of work done in Hobart's Skin Shop, 1828-1829. 
Prom Mr. Nathaniel T. Kidder — 

Map of Dorchester and Milton, 1831. 
Pamphlet, Pageant of little town of X. 

July : 

Prom the Misses Alice C. and Mary A. Breck — 
3 vols. Old Milton Directory. 
Address in commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary 

of incorporation of Quincy (pamphlet). 
Pamphlet, « Law of Woman Life," Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney. 
Charter and by-laws of Medfield Historical Society. 
Six sermons, and several reports of Milton Town Committees. 
Eules and Regulations of Police, Town of Milton. 

emorial to Rev. Frederick Frothingham. 
Address by Edw. L. Pierce, Marathon and Chattanooga. 
Pamphlet, Powder Mill on the Neponset. 
Tucker Light, vols. 1 to 4, 

From Miss Mary Rivers — 

American State Papers, 1812-1815. 

From Yale University Library — 

Life and Letters of Nathan Smith, M.B., M.D. 

August : 

From the Misses Breck — 

Painting on glass, old Jonathan Badcock House on Brook 
Road. 

September : 

From the Misses Breck — 
Packages of Foord cards. 

OCTOBEK : 

Picture of Charles L. Vose, given by Mr. John Chancellor Crafts. 

From Mr. Kidder — 

Swinging sign of old Blue Hill Hotel. 
Sumner deed, 1690. 

NOVEMBEB : 

A pamphlet. The Colonial. 

(17) 



December ; 

From Breck Papers — 

A list of subscribers to the Washingtouian Banner. 

A bill for fringe, cord and tassel for same. 

A bill for lighting and heating hall for temperance meetings. 

A bill, Expense for repairing Milton Bridge, 1823. 

From Miss Ellen F. Vose — 

A map illustrating the paper on Robert Vose. 

From Mr. George H. Clements — 
A fire bucket. 

A framed Memorial to the members of the Hydrant Engine 
Co. who volunteered for the Civil War. 

In January, 1915 : 

From Mrs. A. A. Brackett — 

A certificate from City of Boston to ladies of Milton Rail- 
way for articles furnished during Civil War, signed by 
Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis. 

From Mr. Kidder — 

Photograph of Badge worn on a fire cap by Mr. Isaac Sander- 
son when member of Fireward Society for Dorchester and 
Milton. 
Deed of John Trott to John Taylor, 1729. 

From Mrs. Caleb L. Cunningham — 

A printing on cloth of the "Signing of the Declaration of 
Independence," with a Key, by John Trumbull. 

From Mrs. Charlotte Todd Stevens — 

Fire Marshal's pole, carried by Mr. Todd about 1850. 

Six pamphlets on Billerica given by the publishers. 

From Miss Mary H. Hinckley — 

Photographs of Houghton House ; Nathaniel Robbins House ; 
Boies House ; Gooch House ; Rising Sun Tavern ; Robbins 
House, Brush Hill ; Polly Crane House ; George Holliugs- 
worth House; First School House built in Mattapan in 
1850 ; John Swift, Hatter's Shop ; Miss Elizabeth Swift. 
Bill 1827 from John Swift to Robert Hinckley for a hat. 
(18) 



February : 

From Mrs. Cunningham — 

Constitution of Ladies' Milton and Dorchester Circulating 

Library, 1854. 
Views around Milton Abbas, England. 
Photogravure of Signing of Treaty of Ghent, published in 

New York Times. 

From Miss Mary Eivers — 

Biographical sketch of Jonathan Russell. 
From Mr. Kidder — 

Clerk's notice of meeting of Trustees of Milton Academy, 
1799. 

March : 

From Mr. Charles S. Pierce — 

Copy of address given by him before the Bay State Historical 
League in Milton Town Hall, Jan. 16, 1915. 

Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Conference of Historical 
Societies, 1912. 

From Miss Hester Cunningham — 
Old pamphlets and papers. 

April : 

Pamphlet by Mr. R. B. Forbes. 

Respectfully submitted, 

ELIZABETH HAMLIN, 

Librarian. 



(19) 



CURATOR'S REPORT 
Year Ending June 1, 1915 

The Curator on Thursday afternoons the past year received four 
more visits than during the preceding year, thirty-six in all, but only 
twelve different visitors. 

I think more help came to her from them, however, than was 
given in return. Numerous gifts were brought, and with the advice of 
the Librarian nearly all accepted and indexed. 

Papers are being arranged as well as space will allow under their 
subjects, and we hope another year that these subject headings, such as 
churches, schools, industries, maps, town departments, genealogies, 
etc., may be brought out more clearly in the index, and papers 
arranged where they can be better handled. 

Our books, about 200, including many valuable reference works, 
cannot be kept on view, but will gladly be shown when called for. 

The " objects of interest" or " curios " have been increased during 
the past year from 49 to 77. These are entered in accession book by 
number, name, and donor, and then or later as full a description as 
possible added. Time and patience are often required for this, and the 
Curator, to insure accuracy, will always be glad of any notice of 
" errors or omissions." One of this year's gifts which is at present 
hanging on the wall of this room, the sign of the Blue Hill Hotel, was 
rescued by our President, having disappeared about 1894 from its rest- 
ing place, for probably many years, in the ell of the old Tavern then 
known as Clark's. 

Family inquiry had been unable to trace it, although a tenant of 
the house after it had ceased to be used by the public was suspected 
of assisting its removal. 

And now here is this sign " Blue Hill Hotel " to be accounted for, 
and a name or names of a probable hotel keeper which we will grate- 
fully thank any one to decipher, and no one to remember ever seeing 
any such sign before the entrance to Clark's Tavern. 

After many inquiries, a lady tells us that driving from Randolph 
to the " Blue Hills " for the '' good times " with young friends she 
remembers distinctly seeing the sign Blue Hill Hotel facing their 
approach, the board corresponding to this in size, but she did not 
notice the name, and feels quite sure it was before Mr. Clark occupied 

(20) 



the house, which was about 1860. More light on the subject may 
come to us. 

The exhibition of photographs of old houses of Milton, given in 
this room at the time of Mr. Tilden's delightful paper on that subject, 
not only proved interesting, but it brought to the Society the gift of 
several of the photographs exhibited. The present owner of one of 
these houses, the Gooch House, has sent the Society a full description 
and history of the same, which shows the time and thought given to 
its preparation. 

Will not other members do likewise, that the old sites may not be 
forgotten when the knowledge of the present generation is no longer 
available ? 

The Curator would like to say that besides on Thursdays, 
3.30-5.30, she will be glad to meet any one, so desiring, other days, 
and this without great inconvenience, as Library or Historical work 
calls her often during the week to the Library building. 

JANE W. KENNEDY, 

Curator. 



(21) 



Appendix A 



NECROLOGY 








Mrs. Adeline D. T. Whitney, 


15 Sept., 


1824 


20 March, 


1906 


Roland Hayward 


7 March, 


1865 


11 April, 


1906 


Charles M. S. Churchill, 


1 May, 


1825 


17 June, 


1906 


Granville S. Webster, 


27 Nov., 


1833 


22 July, 


1906 


Robert Bates Palfrey, 


6 Feb., 


1842 


1 Oct., 


1909 


Caroline Cushing Vose, 


13 Sept., 


1826 


13 March, 


1910 


Clifford Brigham, 


25 Sept., 


1857 


13 March, 


1910 


Dexter Emerson Wadaworth, 


7 March, 


, 1866 


7 April, 


1910 


Jane Frances Dow, 


3 June, 


1819 


18 June, 


1910 


Josephine Maria Breck, 


1 Oct., 


1851 


14 Sept., 


1910 


John Phillips Spooner Churchill, 


16 Feb., 


1858 


30 Nov., 


1910 


Mrs. Oliver W. Peabody (Mary L.), 


25 Nov., 


1837 


31 Dec, 


1910 


Joseph Cutler Whitney, 


7 Dec, 


1856 


18 July, 


1911 


Thomas Edwin Ruggles, 


19 May, 


1838 


7 Aug., 


1911 


Joanna Rotch, 


3 Sept., 


1826 


28 Nov., 


1911 


James Sumner Greene, 


27 July, 


1834 


14 Dec, 


1911 


Mrs. Edward C. Perkins (Jane Sedgwick), 


15 May, 


1838 


23 Feb., 


1912 


Abbot Lawrence Rotch, 


6 Jan., 


1861 


7 April, 


1912 


James Tucker, 


15 Jan., 


1843 


4 March, 


, 1913 


Sidney Clementson, 


25 Sept., 


1850 


15 Aug., 


1913 


Andrew H. Ward, 


18 April, 


1864 


6 Jan., 


1914 


Mrs. James B. Thayer (Sophia B.), 


13 July, 


1833 


24 Jan., 


1914 


Charles F. Fairbanks, 


25 Sept., 


1842 


9 March 


, 1914 


Mrs. Charles F. Fairbanks (Julia E.), 


30 Nov., 


1844 


7 May, 


1914 


Daniel Denny, 


29 May, 


1898 


18 July, 


1914 


George W. Nickerson, 


30 Aug., 


1830 


10 Oct., 


1914 


Charles S. Minot, 


23 Dec, 


1852 


19 Nov., 


1914 


Mrs. Frederic M. Stone (Mary L.), 


31 Oct., 


1871 


14 Jan., 


1915 


Hiram Tuell, 


16 Marcli 


1, 1844 


23 March 


, 1915 


Henry E. Sheldon, 


20 Feb., 


1852 


9 April, 


1915 



(22) 



Appendix B 



OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 

Presidents 

HORACE E. WARE During organization 

NATHANIEL T. KIDDER 1905- 

Vice- Presidents 

Freeland D. Leslie 1905- 

Andrew Henshaw Ward 1905-1906 

Theodore I. Reese 1906-1907 

Charles S. Pierce 1907-1908 

John Alden Lee 1908-1913 

William B. Thurber 1913-1914 

Roger Wolcott 1914- 

Treasurer 

Arthur H. Tucker 1905 

Recording Secretaries 

William L. W. Field During organization 

Charles E. Churchill 1905-1912 

Miss Eleanor P. Martin 1912- 

Correspo tiding Secretaries 

Mrs. Caleb L. Cunningham 1905-1909 

Miss Martha B. C. Rolfe 1909-1911 

Miss Alice C. Breck 1911- 

Librarians 

Miss Ellen F. Vose 1906-1907 

AsHER J. Jacoby 1907-1912 

Mrs. Frederick M. Hamlin 1912- 



(23) 



Appendix C 



CHIEF EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY 
AND PAPERS READ AT ITS MEETINGS 

[The * indicates papers in the Society's Library.] 

1900. 
19-20 April Loan Exhibition by members of First Evangelical 

Congregational Church, "Milton Leader," 13 and 20 April, 1900 

" Milton News," 14 and 21 April, 1900 

"Milton Record," 21 Jan., 1905 

1904. "Milton Record" 

19 Nov. Appeal of Library Trustees for gifts or loans of 

articles of Historical Interest . . . .19 Nov., 1904 
28 Nov. Meeting Milton Education Society to consider found- 
ing an Historical Society 3 Dec, 1904 

12 Dec. Meeting to Organize Milton Historical Society . . 17 Dec, 1904 

1905. 
11 Jan. Meeting to perfect Organization . . . .14 Jan., 1905 

7 Feb. Certificate of Incorporation granted. 

25 Feb. Meeting adopted Constitution and by-laws and elected 

members 4 March, 1905 

15 March Meeting to consider work. Vote to publish "The 

Milton Catechism " 18 April, 1905 

19 April Field Meeting conducted by Mr. John A. Tucker . 22 April, 1905 

6 June Meeting — Annual — Seal adopted . . . .10 June, 1905 
4 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Miss Mary P. Webster — 

" Gov. Jonathan Belcher" . . 28 Sept. and 5-12-19 Oct., 1907 

1906. 

7 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Rev. Theodore I. Reese — 

" Milton in Old England " 3 Sept., 1910 

2 June Field Meeting conducted by Mr. Parker B. Field, 

who read a * paper on the section covered written 

by Mr. John A. Tucker 9 June, 1906 

6 June Meeting — Annual 9 June, 1906 

3 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Richard C. Humphreys — 

" Early History of Dorchester " .... 10 Aug., 1907 
(24) 



1906, " Milton Kecord " 

20 Oct. Field Meeting conducted by Joseph R. Webster, 

M.D. . 27 Oct., 1906 

20-23 Nov. Historical Exhibition in Town Hall. Photographs in 

Society's Library 24 Nov., 1906 

1907. 

6 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Sarell J. Willis — " Some 
Recollections and Reminiscences of the Old Town 
of Dorchester" 20 Jan., 1908 

19 Feb. Reception to Rev. and Mrs. Theodore I. Reese on 
their leaving for Columbus, Ohio, by St. Michael's 
Parish, Milton Education Society and Milton His- 
torical Society 23 Feb., 1907 

5 June Meeting — Annual — * Paper by Mr. John A. Tucker 

— " Tax Rates of Milton, 1674-1800 " Reprinted, 

18-25 July and 1-8 Aug., 1908 

2 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Miss Mary H. Hinckley — 
"Neponset River Ferries and Old Plymouth 
Road" 26 Oct., 2-9-16-23 Nov., 1907 

1908. 
5 Feb. Meeting — Talk by Mr. Parker B. Field — "High- 

ways and Byways for One Hundred and Fifty 

Years" 8 Feb., 1908 

Meeting — Annual 6 June, 1908 

Meeting — Paper by Joseph R. Webster, M.D. — 
'^ The Story of the Hutchinson Letters." 

Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Edmund J. Carpenter — 
" The Anti-Masonic Excitement of 1828-1830, 
with Special Reference to its Effects in our 
Vicinity " 3 July, 1909 

Meeting — Annual — * Paper by Mr. Henry B. Mar- 
tin— " Reminiscences of the Milton Post OflSce," 31 July, 1909 

♦Paper by Mr. Sarell J. Willis —" Blue Hill 

National Bank " 14 Aug., 1909 

Meeting — Paper by Miss Mary H. Hinckley — 
" Prominent Men in Art and Science that have 
gone out from Milton." 

Talk by Mr. William L. W. Field — " Geology and 

Geography of Milton " 16 Oct., 1909 

Meeting — * Paper by Rev. Louis L. Cornish — 
"The Story of the Hingham Settlement," pub- 
lished by him 5 Feb., 1910 

(25) 



1910. " Milton Record " 

14 Feb.-14: May Exhibition of Documents, Writings, Pictures, 

etc., at Public Library 19 Feb., 1910 

1 June Meeting — Annual — * Paper by Miss Ellen F. Vose 

and Miss Mary H. Hinckley — " Robert Vose and 
His Times " . . . . 19-26 Nov. and 3-10-17 Dec, 1910 

6 June Exercises at the site of Rev. Peter Thacher's house 

by Mr. John A. Tucker and others. * Paper by 

Mr. Tucker 11 June, 1910 

5 Oct. Meeting — Paper by Rev. Roderick Stebbins — 
" Rev. Peter Thacher, the First Minister of 
Milton" 8 Oct., 1910 

17 Oct, " The Milton Catechism" published by the Society, 22 Oct., 1910 

1911. 

1 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Archibald M. Howe — 

" Edward H, Robbins and His Political Career," 

20-27 July and 3 Aug., 1912 

7 June Meeting — Annual — Paper by Mr. William L. W. 

Field — " Thaddeus William Harris " . . .10 June, 1911 

4 Oct. Meeting — Paper by Mr. Charles G. Chick — " Sam 

Adams" 7 Oct., 1911 

1912. 
7 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Mr. Horace E. Ware — " The 

Transfer to Massachusetts of its Charter Govern- 
ment, 1630." Printed in pamphlet form by him, 10 Feb., 1912 

April Map of Milton published by a member of the Com- 

mittee on 250th Anniversary. 

5 June Meeting — Annual 8 June, 1912 

9 June A Union Service of the Churches of Milton held in 
the Meeting House of the First Congregational 
Parish 15 June, 1912 

11 June Celebration by Town of its 250th Anniversary. 

Committee's Report as a Pamphlet and also incor- 
porated in 77th Annual Town Report (see page 
270 for Bibliography of Address of Orator) — 
Photographs in Society's Library . . . .15 June, 1912 

2 Oct. Meeting — Paper by Miss Ellen F. Vose and Miss 

Eleanor P. Martin — " Daniel Vose and His Inn " 14 Dec, 1912 

5 Oct. Pageant, under auspices of Society . . . .12 Oct., 1912 

For the Committees, etc., see "Milton 
Record" of 17-24-31 Aug., 7-21-28 
Sept., 5 Oct., 1912. 
(26) 



1913. " Milton Record " 

5 Feb. Meeting — * Paper by Joseph R. Webster, M.D. — 

'' Christopher Albert Greene, a Teacher in Milton 
Sixty Years Ago " . . . 24-31July and 7-14 Aug., 1915 

4 June Meeting — Annual — Remarks by Mr. Henry Win- 
chester Cunningham on some of the documents 
belonging to the Society 7 June, 1913 

17 Sept. " Quincy Day" observed by Quincy Historical 

Society. The President of Milton Historical 
Society read a short * paper on the Society's work, 27 Sept., 1913 

1 Oct. Meeting — * Paper by Rev. Henry S. Huntington — 
"Rev. Dr. Albert K. Teele as a Minister and as a 
Citizen " 15-22-29 Aug., 1914 

1 Nov.-29 Dec. Exhibition of Samplers, Wrought Needlework 
and Mourning Jewellery in Milton Public 
Library. Photographs in Society's Library . 1-8 Nov., 1913 

1914. 

4 Feb. Meeting — Paper by Mr. Charles H. Johnson — 

" Historic Quincy Past and Present " . . . 7 Feb., 1914 

3 June Meeting — Annual— * Paper by the Recording Sec- 

retary (Miss Eleanor P. Martin) — "Convivial 
Customs of Early Days" . 12-25 Dec, 1914, and 9 Jan., 1915 

7 Oct. Meeting — Paper by Mr. George T. Tilden — 

"Among Some Yesterday Houses " . . .10 Oct., 1914 

1915. 
16 Jan. Meeting — Bay State Historical League the Society's 

Guests — * Paper by Mr. Charles S. Pierce — 
" Milton's Place in the Country" . . .23 Jan., 1915 

16 Jan.-17 Feb; Exhibition Commemorating Treaty of Ghent 

and Jonathan Russell 23 Jan., 1915 



(27) 



Appendix D 



MARGARET MAY WARD PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL ESSAYS 

At the Society's annual meeting in 1908 Mr. Andrew Henshaw 
Ward first offered to provide " a prize for the best essay written by 
any member of the Milton High School on some topic of American 
History." 

The prize was instituted in memory of Mr. Ward's wife, Mrs. 
Margaret May Ward, who died 10th December, 1907. It is awarded 
by a Committee of the Society, and a fund held by the Treasurer 
assures sufficient income to continue the prize in the future. The 
prize was first offered in 1909, with subject assigned " King Philip's 
War," but both in that year and in 1910, when the same subject was 
again assigned, there was no competition. In 1911, through some 
misunderstanding, the prize was not offered. 

1912 — Subject, "Siege of Louisburg." Prize awarded to Clara 

V. McWhirk. 

1913 — Subject, "Four Most Important Controversies between 

Great Britain and the United States during the Last 
One Hundred Years." Prize awarded to Edith M. 
Lincoln. 

1914 — Subject, "How have Canals affected the Prosperity of the 

Cities of the Atlantic Seaboard." Prize awarded to 
Sigrid C. Kenseth. 

1915 — Subject, "How Far has the Possession of Sea Power by 

the United States or by her Allies or by her Enemies 
Shaped the Course of American History." Prize 
awarded to George C. Davidson. 



•M •,«. (28) 

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